real. More desirable. If I asked for details, I’d be another step closer to having to admit they were more than just casual fun. “How’d you meet?”
“Math.”
The same thing Kingston said. It was nice to know their single word stories matched up.
“Is there more to it than that? Is this a Math Saves kind of public safety warning?” I teased.
His breathing shifted for a heartbeat, a heavier puff. I pictured him on the other end of the line huffing out dry amusement. “His parents paid me to tutor him in math when we were in junior high. Except he didn’t need it. He wasn’t actually failing, but anything less than an A was disgraceful to them, and he understood it, he was just bored, and didn’t want excelling to damage his I don’t give a fuck reputation.”
A young Kingston putting more effort into what people thought than a mark on a paper? Easy to believe.
“I was the brooding smart kid no one wanted to approach back then,” Owen said.
“I know that feeling.” I’d been a lot the same. Resting bitch everything.
“But Kingston looked past that. He sort of... adopted me.”
The extrovert bringing the introvert into their fold.
“He brought his grades up,” Owen continued. “To prove I was doing what his parents wanted, and so they’d keep paying me.” A pause. It ticked on longer than a breath or two “It was what we both needed at the time. He’s a good guy and he deserves good things.”
I didn’t know how to interpret that. “It feels like you’re directing that at me.”
Another pause.
It would be nice if I could say Owen’s hesitations didn’t mean anything, but he was measuring his words. Each time the silence drifted in like this.
“I am.” He finally spoke. “He and I... What we have works. You’re a good thing, Kitty Cat. Amazing, in fact.”
Now I was the one who had to consider my next words. Instinct wanted to say no I’m not. Few people reacted well to a compliment shut down like that, but especially these two. “Thank you?”
“I’m glad the two of you are hanging out. I should let you go before it gets too late. Sweet dreams.”
The abrupt wrap-up ground through me, stealing any questions I had. “You too.”
I disconnected, but sleep wouldn’t be my friend tonight. I was too caught up in analyzing the intricacies of the conversation with Owen.
Chapter Sixteen
My phone chimed early in the morning. I’d think it was Anne, but it was the default tone, not our custom one.
You up? The name on the screen said Persistent Asshole.
The label I’d given him when he was calling every few weeks trying to buy my business. I should update that to have his real name. Depends on who this is ;)
My phone rang seconds after I hit Send.
“Your concierge and tour guide for the day,” Kingston said the instant I answered.
Maybe I wouldn’t change the name on his contact, though I might add a smiley face at the end. “What if I have other plans?”
“Cancel them. What I have for you is a million times better.”
“Which is...?”
“A surprise.”
Nope. “I don’t do surprises.”
“Oh.” He managed to encompass deflated in a single syllable. “In that case, I have a friend in management at Digital Media, and he’s screening their new game for a few people.”
It wasn’t strawberries in the rain, and it was fraternizing with the enemy. But it did sound fun. Besides, I wanted to see him and I wasn’t actually doing anything else. “Is it any sort of conflict of interest that some of my closest friends work for the competition?”
“Was it when you catered for DM?”
No. “I take a non-disclosure agreement seriously.”
“Then it’s not a problem now. I’ll pick you up in thirty minutes, and we’ll get breakfast first.” He made the decision sound so simple.
But wasn’t it?
Thirty minutes was both way too much time, since I was already up and dressed for the day, and not nearly enough to sift through my entire closet for a different outfit that looked sexy-cute without looking like I was trying too hard.
A skirt was tempting, especially the plaid one hanging in the back, but not in front of other people. Especially not people I did business with.
I settled on a sun dress that flared out under my breasts, and a crop sweater. Mickey Mouse ears decorated the dress—I would be the perfect blend of playful and professional.
My doorbell chiming saved me from second-guessing the decision. I grabbed my purse and phone, and headed